Step-by-step

1. 1

   Eject the SIM card tray

   1 min

   Insert a SIM eject tool into the hole on the left edge of the phone to pop out the SIM tray. Remove the tray and set it aside.

2. 2

   Heat the rear cover

   3 min

   Apply a heat gun or hairdryer along the outer edges of the rear cover for 2 to 3 minutes. This softens the adhesive securing the plastic back panel.

3. 3

   Create a seam for prying

   2 min

   Attach a suction cup near the bottom edge of the back cover and pull upward gently. Insert a thin plastic opening pick into the resulting gap.

4. 4

   Slice the rear adhesive

   4 min

   Slide the plastic pick along all four edges of the back cover to cut through the adhesive strip. Avoid inserting the pick too far near the middle to prevent damaging internal flex cables.

5. 5

   Lift away the rear cover

   1 min

   Carefully lift the rear cover off the phone frame and place it face down on your work mat.

6. 6

   Unscrew the midframe fasteners

   4 min

   Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove all 16 screws holding down the plastic midframe assembly.

7. 7

   Unclip the midframe

   3 min

   Insert a spudger into the seam between the midframe bezel and the main body. Pry gently around the perimeter to release the plastic retainers and lift off the midframe.

8. 8

   Disconnect the battery flex cable

   1 min

   Use a plastic spudger to pry the battery connector straight up from its motherboard socket. Disconnecting power prevents electrical shorts during repair.

9. 9

   Disconnect the display flex cable

   2 min

   Use a spudger to pop the main display press-fit connector off the motherboard socket.

10. 10

    Disconnect the interconnect flex cable

    2 min

    Unplug both ends of the main interconnect cable joining the motherboard to the lower sub-board using your spudger.

11. 11

    Heat the front glass assembly

    3 min

    Heat the front screen perimeter using a heat gun for 2 to 3 minutes to soften the display adhesive.

12. 12

    Attach suction cup to screen

    1 min

    Place a suction cup on the lower half of the front display screen and press firmly to seal.

13. 13

    Insert opening pick behind screen

    2 min

    Pull up on the suction cup handle to create a tiny gap and insert an opening pick beneath the glass assembly.

14. 14

    Slice display adhesive

    5 min

    Slide the pick around all edges of the front glass to cut through the screen adhesive layer completely.

15. 15

    Remove damaged screen assembly

    2 min

    Lift the old screen off the frame, threading its attached flex cable out through the frame opening.

16. 16

    Clean frame ledge

    4 min

    Scrape away remaining glue residue on the frame using a spudger and clean the surfaces with isopropyl alcohol.

17. 17

    Apply new display adhesive

    3 min

    Place pre-cut adhesive strips or double-sided tape along the perimeter of the phone housing frame.

18. 18

    Mount replacement screen

    3 min

    Thread the new display flex cable through the frame slot and align the new screen evenly into the housing frame.

19. 19

    Reconnect display and interconnect cables

    2 min

    Attach the screen flex cable and interconnect cable to their matching sockets on the board until they snap into place.

20. 20

    Reconnect battery flex cable

    1 min

    Press the battery cable connector back into its socket on the motherboard.

21. 21

    Reinstall midframe assembly

    4 min

    Snap the plastic midframe back over the internal body and reinstall the 16 Phillips screws.

22. 22

    Reattach rear cover

    3 min

    Apply fresh adhesive tape along the back cover edge, press the cover firmly onto the phone frame, and insert the SIM card tray.